Elena K. Moore-Slice

Elena Katherine Moore was born on November 19, 1986, in Yekaterinburg, Russia. She spent her early childhood in an orphanage, and very little is known about those early years. One story, however, became especially meaningful to her family. Elena was the only young girl in the orphanage with long hair because her caretaker lovingly took her home each evening to wash and braid it. Due to frequent outbreaks of head lice, the other children wore their hair very short or shaved. Jean Moore often said she believed God had given her a remarkable dream, and when she asked about a little girl with long hair, she knew Elena was meant to become part of the Moore family.

At the age of 7½, Elena was adopted by Richard and Jean Moore and brought home to San Antonio, Texas. At the time of her adoption, she knew only two English words: “Mickey Mouse.” Mrs. Moore had learned enough Russian to communicate with her two adopted Russian children, including Daniel Sergey Moore, who was adopted later that same year at the age of four. Elena, however, was determined to learn English and quickly immersed herself in the language, never responding in Russian. Although she was the third child adopted into the family, she was the oldest of their four adopted children. Despite the challenges of learning a new language and adapting to a new culture, Elena made friends easily and embraced the opportunities her new life provided with gratitude.

Elena was blessed with natural beauty, athleticism, and grace. She learned to ride a bicycle almost immediately after being shown how. Within a few years, she was competing in gymnastics and swimming. She also learned to play the flute and proudly marched in at least one parade.

Throughout her childhood, Elena’s family moved several times, living in Texas; Heidelberg, Germany; Evans, Georgia; and later Gilbert, Arizona. When the family relocated to Arizona in 2006, 18-year-old Elena chose to remain in the South, where she had built the life she loved.

In 2013, Elena met her best friend and future husband, Brannon Slice. Together, they built a life filled with love, adventure, and companionship.

In 2020, Elena became a certified personal trainer, fulfilling her passion for helping others become healthier, stronger, and more confident. She loved the outdoors and embraced an active lifestyle. Whether paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, rollerblading, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, or simply enjoying nature, Elena found joy in movement and encouraged others to do the same.

Elena is survived by her loving husband, Brannon Slice; her cherished Yorkie-Poodle companion, Steeler; her parents, Richard and Jean Moore; her parents-in-law, Bobby and Joanne Slice; her brothers, Daniel Sergey Moore and Richard John Moore; her sister, Sarah Jean Moore; her sisters-in-law, Brittany Slice and Jersey Bulinsky; and many extended family members, friends, and clients whose lives she touched through her kindness, compassion, and encouragement.

A memorial service will be held Monday, July 20, 2026, 11AM, at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial contribution be made to NAMI SC.